When I try converting a Hotmail address to the new Outlook.com, I receive an
"Account isn't available" message. How can that be when I've been using it at
Hotmail.com for several years? I've tried it from the Hotmail sign-in by
changing the Hotmail.com to Outlook.com and getting an "Account doesn't
exist" message with the option "Get new account." From what I've read, I should be able
to easily and simply convert your current address when you open an Outlook.com
account. I've tried it several times with the same results. I was able to set a
new address without any problem, but unable to change current ones to
Outlook.com. Please advise the steps on how to convert current addresses over
to Outlook.com.

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In this excerpt from
Answercast #43, I look at the (growing) confusion over Hotmail's change to
Outlook.com and converting your email address.

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Converting to Outlook.com

Well, Outlook.com does appear to be the eventual new face of
Hotmail.com.

It is apparently a completely separate pool of email addresses. So, for
example, if you have Leo@Hotmail.com, you are in no way guaranteed that you will
be able to get Leo@Outlook.com.

Using Outlook.com interface for Hotmail

Now you can (if you have an email address at Hotmail.com) convert that to
use the Outlook.com interface.

Like I said, it's still your Hotmail.com email address; you're simply using the Outlook.com user interface.

Once you do that, you also have the ability to add what they call an
alias. An alias would be a new email address associated with your account at
Outlook.com.

Unfortunately, you are not guaranteed getting the email address you want or
that you already have. There is no automatic conversion from
something@Hotmail.com to something@Outlook.com. They are two completely
separate sets of email addresses.

Outlook confusion

So, I'm not surprised that there's some confusion about this. Microsoft has
been (as I've said) typically, characteristically unclear and incomplete about
exactly how these things are going to work.

What it boils down to is two separate things:

Converting your Hotmail account to use the new Outlook.com user interface is
one thing (it doesn't change your email address);

And then getting a new Outlook.com email address is something completely
separate from your Hotmail.com account.

Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.

Not what you needed?

You may also be interested in:

Is
Microsoft Shutting Down Hotmail? No. Well, maybe someday. No, more like
kind of. With characteristic confusion, Microsoft has introduced Outlook.com
and positioned it to replace Hotmail. Sort of.

AAUUUGGHH!! I accidentally converted to that horrible Outlook. I don't want it! How do I downgrade back to my hotmail account?

Click the gear icon in the upper right, there should be a Switch Back option in the menu that results.

14-Aug-2012

Strydrdenis
August 15, 2012 9:26 AM

I've found that once You create your new something@outlook.com that you have to use this to login to your old something@hotmail.com account. Your old Hotmail and Live accounts show up as Folders in your Outlook account.
I love the new Outlook page. It has nice a nice clean uncluttered interface. A lot of white which I love.

Wayne
October 27, 2012 5:03 PM

i am now face to big trouble about hotmail/outlook

The situation is both hotmail and outlook all CAN NOT login with "Account doesn't exist" message

i was converted my hotmail.co.uk to outlook.com (with new ALIAS). Then i found former hotmail account could login but just alias@outlook.com can longin my my account.

So i decided back. click 'back to hotmail' , the interface was back, but still cant login with my hotmail account.

after read more stuff in community, i got suggestion that an option 'rename the email address'. i change alias@outlook.com as my former hotmail.co.uk

Now both email all donot work, and show 'account doesnot exist'.

It's my daily using email, and several YEARS, all information, data and contact inside. Really terrible for me. would you please give me some advice.

i was converted my hotmail.co.uk to outlook.com (with new ALIAS). Then i found former hotmail account could NOT login but just alias@outlook.com can login my account.

Alvetta Freeman
March 29, 2013 6:08 PM

I HATE OUTLOOK!!!!!! I want my hotmail back.

teri
April 1, 2013 11:53 AM

I absolutely hate outlook I want my old Hotmail back can't get my old e mail automately It is awful can't get my old friends e mail ad to sent them e mail there has been NO instructions as to use there was no warning JUST POPED UP one day I HATE IT

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